Wow. For anyone who has even remotely followed much-hyped model Lara Stone's rapid ascension to mannequin stardom this past year, the latest issue of Vogue UK is a must-read. In it, Stone (who will succeed Madonna as the face of Louis Vuitton this spring) really gets down to the nitty gritty. Fashionologie has posted a few excerpts from the profile of the November cover subject. And, man oh man is it juicy. First off, drugs were never a problem for the confessed recovering alcoholic. "I'd already tried everything in Holland. Anyway, I never wanted to be that model on drugs, the sort who gives head for a line of coke." Booze, on the other hand, was an entirely different issue. Apparently, just earlier this year, Stone went to rehab as a result of her alcoholism spiraling out of control. She's since sobered up and says she feels better than ever.

Loeffler Randall is embracing its inner child for resort season. An image of the footwear gems in question arrived in my inbox this morning (pictured here), of which designer Jessie Randall says, "these styles are all about transitioning you from cool weather (the Kay cross-zip bootie and the June lace-up bootie ) to warm weather (the Carlie strappy mignon sandal) to everything in between (the Keira snap platform worn over tights)." Apparently Randall found inspiration in none other than a picture book: "I began by looking at one of my most beloved children’s books called 'Little Blue and Little Yellow' by Leo Lionni.'"

The stigma surrounding shopping malls is dissipating. Shopping chain stores and slurping down a Jamba Juice in the process is garnering newfound acceptance as a sartorial pastime. And apparently it's a movement of which Justin Timberlake is a fan. Back in September, the pop star-turned-fashion designer announced for that William Rast, the clothing line he founded alongside Trace Ayala, would soon be setting up its first freestanding shop (which is now newly opened at the Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles). Apparently the next 40-50 William Rast stores opening between now and 2010 will be in malls as well.

Refinery29 struck gold this past spring when it introduced Save Fashion -- a pop-up shop housed in Manhattan's Port Authority that stocked excess wares from a great grouping of designers at sample sale prices. It didn't hurt that the independent fashion porthole likewise threw a seemingly endless stream of shopping parties ... no small feat considering it's so far from Midtown. Well, get ready, as Save Fashion part deux is soon to hit Soho -- at Inven.tory's stomping grounds at 237 Lafayette to be exact -- and the wares up for sale are sure to be just as good if not better.

British designer Matthew Williamson, beloved by Vogue and H&M (with whom he did a diffusion line last fall) alike, is about to be a very busy man. Not only is the designer adding men's wear, which will debut in February to be sold exclusively at Harrods in addition to Williamson's namesake boutiques; he's venturing out digitally speaking as well with the launch of a brand spanking new e-commerce site. The latter will include "every piece from the most recent collection available for the public to buy online," says Elle UK, granting access to Williamson's vibrant, pattern-heavy creations to consumers around the globe. The move makes sense, seeing as Williamson's designs themselves are more often than not inspired by his worldwide travels, as he recently told the Telegraph.

Two very big names in the world of high fashion are joining the ranks of designers with diffusion lines this season. First off is Narciso Rodriguez, the man responsible for Michelle Obama's heavily-debated Inauguration Day red and black dress. Rodriguez, who has dressed scores of celebrities and solidified a reputation for crafting smart, sleek yet feminine designs is teaming with eBay, which recently announced its own expansion by way of a NYC pop-up shop. Rodriguez for eBay will consist of a "diffusion line of separates that are slated for a spring launch," and which will retail for a relatively extremely affordable $750-$350, says the Huffington Post. Rodriguez follows in the footsteps of Norma Kamali with this partnership -- the latter's line for eBay is currently up for grabs here.

So much for television shopping still carrying a stigma. Having partnered with HSN to create his first in a series of capsule collections, designer Naeem Khan has sold out each and every party-ready look from his holiday line in 10 minutes. The high-fashion designer, who typically caters to celebrities and couture-hoarding ladies with deep pockets to match, sold the ten styles that made up his HSN collection called "Timeless" shortly after they debuted on the network October 29. While the frenzy itself over Khan's designs (including a sequined mini-dress and tuxedo jacket) is worth noting, the truly surprising part of the sale is that the clothes were by no means cheap.

Victoria Secret has announced it will add five fresh faces to its line-up of genetically superior mannequins this season. The models in question: Emanuela de Paula, Lindsay Ellingson, Candice Swanepoel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Chanel Iman. Iman is no doubt the most recognizable of the group, but having been added to the Victoria Secret roster gives the aforementioned models as good a chance as any to becoming household names as well (especially considering, according to Fashionologie, such contracts typically are signed for three years). Victoria's Secret is gearing up to tape its much-anticipated annual runway show November 19.

Fresh off of celebrating her 60th birthday, Anna Wintour has been handpicked by Barack Obama to join the national Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Already members of the illustrious 24-person committee: Sarah Jessica Parker, Forest Whitaker, Edward Norton, Yo-Yo Ma, and Teresa Heinz Kerry. According to Women's Wear Daily, Wintour "has gotten close to the Obama camp through cohosting a fund-raiser to honor Michelle Obama during her husband’s presidential campaign and featuring the First Lady on the cover of Vogue." Smooth move, Anna.

Forever outfitted in Ray-Ban aviators, a head of unkempt brown curls, and some form of slim-fitting pant and snug jacket, Olivier Zahm -- co-founder and editor in chief of Paris' Purple Fashion magazine -- is a unique breed of provocateur. He's the one who put Vincent Gallo in a Balenciaga floral mini, Baptiste Giabiconi in “prostitute shoes,” not to mention the one who has photographed countless women nude, funneling their photos into both his quarterly magazine as well as his relatively new blog, The Purple Diary (where he may have accidentally blown the cover on a relaunched Beatrice Inn). But for a man who obviously has no qualms about speaking his mind and shaking things up, the after-hours fashion party fixture is decidedly press-shy. Perhaps he's just choosy or keen to generate an increasing air of mystery around himself and his mag. Nevertheless, a Japanese "high-fashion" magazine's recent interview with Zahm offers a rare glimpse of the editor.